Kieran Culkin for Esquire

Photographer Billy Kidd @billykiddstudio /
Styling Andrew Mukamal @andrewmukamal /
Grooming Benjamin Thigpen @benjaminthigpen /
Set Design Michael Sturgeon @mishkabeluga /
Creative Direction Nick Sullivan @nicksullivanesq /

This spring, Vandervoort Studio had the pleasure of hosting a striking cover shoot with actor Kieran Culkin for Esquiremagazine—and the result was anything but ordinary. Known for his Emmy-winning role as the acerbic and unpredictable Roman Roy on HBO’s Succession, Culkin brought his sharp edge and offbeat charisma to the shoot, seamlessly blending vulnerability with defiance under the creative vision of photographer Billy Kidd.

The story begins not in our studio, but with a sprint through the streets of Manhattan—Culkin racing toward a ferry dock, a moment as spontaneous and chaotic as the character he portrays. When he arrived at Vandervoort Studio shortly after, there was still a spark in his eyes and a flush in his face—the kind of raw energy that only city grit and deadline adrenaline can deliver. That electricity translated directly into the imagery.

Under the direction of stylist Andrew Mukamal, Culkin stepped into a range of striking looks that emphasized silhouette, shadow, and psychological tension. Grooming by Benjamin Thigpen sharpened his angular presence while retaining a natural edge, and Michael Sturgeon’s set design elevated the atmosphere into something minimalist yet cinematic—a mood somewhere between noir mystery and Brooklyn cool. Creative director Nick Sullivan guided the project with a clean editorial vision, allowing each frame to feel intentional, composed, and intimate.

The Vandervoort space became more than just a backdrop—it became a container for the moment. The combination of concrete floors, soft daylight, and architectural texture helped strip away excess and bring focus to Culkin’s expression. Whether seated in contemplative stillness or caught mid-motion under directional lighting, each frame exposed a different shade of the actor: aging, evolving, quietly unraveling. As he told Esquire, turning 40 changed things. Slower healing, new rhythms, a shift in the way he sees New York City. These are transitions that require reflection, and the Vandervoort environment offered just that.

The final cover image is as bold as it is haunting—Culkin’s piercing eyes set in chiaroscuro tones, his expression unreadable but unforgettable. It’s a portrait that lives in the in-between: not quite brooding, not quite hopeful. Just real. It was a true collaboration from start to finish, and a perfect example of how Vandervoort continues to serve as both a physical and emotional canvas for today’s most compelling creatives.

At Vandervoort, we don’t just rent space. We provide room for transformation—for the kind of storytelling that sticks. This shoot with Kieran Culkin is a testament to that spirit, and we’re proud to have played a small role in capturing a very big shift in one of television’s most captivating actors.